Kelly Ripa (55) Explains How a Simple Nighttime Trick Keeps Mark Consuelos Faithful

Kelly Ripa recently joked that while her dental hygiene is peak, her evening romance has taken a hit. On an episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the co-host revealed that her husband, Mark Consuelos, finds her nightly habit of wearing an oral retainer to be a total passion-killer.

The conversation began when Consuelos discussed a study about koalas being indifferent to romantic rejection, a trait he claimed to share when his wife prepares for bed. Consuelos explained that, like a koala who simply goes back to sleep when a mate isn’t interested, he has learned to read the signs of where the night is headed.

Ripa laughed at the comparison, noting that the sound of her dental appliance snapping into place serves as a definitive signal. She joked about the unsexy ritual, saying, “I pop my retainer in. He hears the retainer pop in, it’s like a chastity belt!” Her husband fully agreed with the sentiment, teasing that he approaches her like a koala with an eucalyptus leaf, only to be shut down by the plastic barrier.

The couple, who have been married since 1996, have frequently been open about the logistical challenges of their long-term intimacy. They previously touched on their conflicting preferences, with Ripa favoring nighttime and Consuelos preferring the morning.

However, Ripa had to establish new boundaries once they began co-hosting Live together in 2023, insisting that mornings were now strictly for work. She humorously described their less-than-glamorous morning appearances, noting, “I have a retainer in, I gotta rip that out. And he’s got his nasal strips on. It’s like we are the most repulsive, disgusting [people].”

Consuelos admitted that the demands of their daily morning show have significantly impacted their previous routine, jokingly calling the job the “antidote” to their morning romance.

Despite the playful complaints, the duo remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring pairs, recently celebrating their 30th anniversary of meeting on the set of All My Children. They continue to balance their high-profile careers with raising their three adult children, Michael, Lola, and Joaquin.

As of April, the couple remains busy both on and off the screen. They recently made a stylish appearance on the red carpet of the Academy Awards, where they hosted their annual “After the Oscars” special from the Dolby Theatre.

Outside of their hosting duties, Mark Consuelos recently made his highly anticipated Broadway debut in the play Fallen Angels, which opened to positive reviews. Kelly Ripa has also been active in the digital space, recently recording new episodes of her podcast, Let’s Talk Off Camera, featuring guests like Lukas Gage.

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